Don't Look Under the Bed (1999) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: Don't Look Under the Bed
Director: Kenneth Johnson
Released: 1999
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 6.5

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

A girl calls on her brother's imaginary friend to banish a mischievous boogeyman who has framed her for his pranks.

Rated PG • 1999 • 1h 33m

Directed by Kenneth Johnson

6.5

100+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

10+

Don't Look Under the Bed (1999) earned its PG rating primarily for frightening scenes and mature thematic elements that were considered intense for a Disney Channel movie at the time. The film features a visually scary Boogeyman character, scenes of peril including a child being kidnapped into a dark dimension, and unsettling character transformations. Core themes revolve around a character, Frances, being made to question her sanity… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Erin Chambers

Ty Hodges

Robin Riker

Steve Valentine

Mary Parker Williams

Geoff Hansen

Barry Yourgrau

Stephen Tobolowsky

Nathan Stevens

RuDee Sade

Rachel Kimsey

Ruth Hale

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Is Don't Look Under the Bed appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Don't Look Under the Bed

Sex Mild 2/10

Violence Strong 6/10

Language None 0/10

Substances Mild 1/10

Themes Strong 6/10

What happens in Don't Look Under the Bed, moment by moment

0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
0:12 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10

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Sex and nudity in Don't Look Under the Bed

Contains a single, brief, and chaste goodbye kiss between two teenage characters at the end of the film. There is no other romantic or sexual content.

Violence and gore in Don't Look Under the Bed

Violence consists mainly of frightening fantasy sequences and suspense. The Boogeyman is a visually scary monster with claws, a distorted face, and glowing eyes, appearing in several startling scenes. A child is grabbed and pulled into a dark, menacing parallel world. Another character briefly and frighteningly transforms into a monster. These scenes are more about suspense and scary creature design than gore or injury, but may be intense for younger viewers.

Language in Don't Look Under the Bed

Language is not a factor in this film. There is no profanity.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Don't Look Under the Bed

Near absent. In one scene, a character creates a disgustingly-colored concoction called "Boogey Goo" to use as bait for a monster. He tastes it and finds it delicious, which is played for slightly gross humor. There is no depiction of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drug use.

Mature themes in Don't Look Under the Bed

The film explores several mature themes. A central theme is mental health, as Frances's family and friends begin to question her sanity, causing her distress. The movie also deals heavily with abandonment and the pain of growing up, as the main villain is a monster created when an imaginary friend is forgotten due to a family illness. There are also moments of child peril and facing deep-seated fears.

Scary moments in Don't Look Under the Bed

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Don't Look Under the Bed yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Don't Look Under the Bed appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Don't Look Under the Bed is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. Don't Look Under the Bed (1999) earned its PG rating primarily for frightening scenes and mature thematic elements that were considered intense for a Disney Channel movie at the time. The film features a visually scary…

What age rating does Don't Look Under the Bed have?

Don't Look Under the Bed is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.

What is Don't Look Under the Bed about?

Is there sex or nudity in Don't Look Under the Bed?

Contains a single, brief, and chaste goodbye kiss between two teenage characters at the end of the film. There is no other romantic or sexual content.

How violent is Don't Look Under the Bed?

Is the language in Don't Look Under the Bed appropriate for kids?

Language is not a factor in this film. There is no profanity.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Don't Look Under the Bed?

What mature themes appear in Don't Look Under the Bed?

How long is Don't Look Under the Bed?

Don't Look Under the Bed runs 93 minutes, directed by Kenneth Johnson, released in 1999.

Where can I read the full Don't Look Under the Bed parent guide?

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